Multi‐layer and timescale optimal power flow control in capacitive coupling inverter‐based microgrids

Abstract

Abstract Compared with the traditional solution, the microgrid (MG) employed capacitive coupling inverters (CCIs) with higher reactive power capacity can effectively reduce the probability of low voltage. However, because of the special coupling structure, different power flow control methods will greatly affect the cost and operation efficiency of the CCI. A multi‐layer and timescale optimal power flow control considering inverter‐layer is therefore proposed in this paper. Firstly, the power output characteristics of CCI are analyzed, and the power flow control model of CCI with an energy storage unit is established. Secondly, an optimal control method on different timescales was proposed. By coordinating the active power output and the reserved charging state margin of the energy storage unit, the CCI‐MG reactive power regulation with the most economical and minimum loss was realized, so as to achieve long‐term voltage stability and dynamic satisfaction of load demands. Furthermore, the optimal power flow control of CCI is proposed. The simulation results show that the proposed method can effectively realize the optimal control of active and reactive power of MG, and also improve the voltage stability of AC bus under the economical operation of CCI.

Keywords

• electric impedance
• electric power generation
• CCI
• microgrid
• multi‐timescales
• optimal control